XMLTV importer for US, or alternative

[Kindrael]

I just went through the article on how to use XMLTV importer only to discover that XMLTV will no longer grab us channels.

Can I use an older version? If so, which version?

Is there an alternative?

I've got 3 channels that apparently my cable provider has not reported. Are there other alternatives for me to get those channels and their show data to show up in PVS?

[vogelap]

Hrm. Not sure where you saw that "XMLTV will no longer grab US channels", but a quick check of the XMLTV website shows this at the top of the page:

"At present there are backends grabbing TV listings for Canada, the USA, the UK, Germany, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Finland, New Zealand, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Hungary, and Denmark."

[Kindrael]

Yes, I did see that at the top of the page as well. But aparently they just don't update the page because tv_grab_us_gist is no longer included with XMLTV. I downloaded the most recent version and noticed it was absent. I went ahead and type XMLTV tv_grab_us_gist --configure even though I was sure it wouldn't work anyway and it did indeed bomb.

Other forums (X-EPG) have commented how much faster it is to retrieve lineups now that XMLTV has "discontinued US listings".

Is there maybe someone using an older build that can still get us channels?

I've talked to my cable company and they deny that I get any channels above 47 when in fact i receive channels up to 52. Aparently the regional and national guys don't really communicate on this matter very well.

[vogelap]

Originally posted by Kindrael
Yes, I did see that at the top of the page as well. But aparently they just don't update the page because tv_grab_us_gist is no longer included with XMLTV. I downloaded the most recent version and noticed it was absent. I went ahead and type XMLTV tv_grab_us_gist --configure even though I was sure it wouldn't work anyway and it did indeed bomb.

Hrm. That's odd... I just downloaded the latest version of XMLTV (0.5.15), installed it, did "xmltv tv_grab_na --configure" to update the configuration, and was able to pull listings without problem.

Perhaps they quit supporting GIST as a source.

[Kindrael]

I think you are correct. A lot of the other countries are still there. It seems XMLTV is still working, just not for US listings.

[vogelap]

Originally posted by Kindrael
I think you are correct. A lot of the other countries are still there. It seems XMLTV is still working, just not for US listings.

Nope... Again, I disagree... I am in the US and XMLTV is working FINE for me using the "tv_grab_na" option ("na" stands for North America). It's working fine for me.

[Kindrael]

whoohoo, gotcha. saw the tv_grab_us_gist and figured that was it. It's no longer present. I've give na a shot. Thanks a bunch.

[Kindrael]

good news: using tv_grab_na worked like a charm.

Bad news: XMLTV can't find my additional channels either. I tried adding a new line 'channel: 50 TLC' and it told me that channel was invalid for my lineup. Anyone know how to add a channel that it can't find?

I can do this on TitanTV. Worked great there, and pulls up the correct listing.

[vogelap]

Originally posted by Kindrael
good news: using tv_grab_na worked like a charm.

WOO HOO! I thought it would.

Bad news: XMLTV can't find my additional channels either.

Sorry... Don't know!